shirleymckie.myfastforum.org

hard done by · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 8

Hey,

My younger brother has got a pending court case for assault and breach of the peace. Not a daft boy, just had one too many shandies and found himself on the wrong side of the law one night.

Anyway, he is due to get married in July and is going on his honeymoon to the USA. He is now shaking in his boots that he has no time to apply for a visa as the trialmis close to his wedding. Does he chance his luck and hope that US Immigration authorities don't know about this first offence??

Any thoughts or answers?

Thanks.

scotkaz · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 527

He will be covered by the Visa Waiver Program.

Which means everyone on the plane will be given a Visa card to fill in and hand to the Flight attendents before landing.

Cannot see a minor offence disallowing him into the country for a holiday.

However I would check this out first to see if he comes under any of this

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/add_crime.html

Details about the Visa Waiver Program

You will qualify for travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland:

• traveling on a valid, machine readable or e-passport with an electronic chip. Please check the validity of your passport by following this link. The date on which your passport was issued is an important factor in determining whether your passport will be acceptable for visa-free travel. The failure to determine that your passport qualifies for the VWP may result in you being denied boarding by the airline.

Note: A passport indicating that the bearer is a British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British National (Overseas) Citizen, or British Protected Person does not qualify for travel without a visa. A passport which states holder has Right of Abode or indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom does not qualify for visa free travel;

• For business, pleasure or transit only;

• Staying in the United States for 90 days or less;

scotkaz · Joined: 28 Aug 2008 Posts: 527

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1069963

Some more information. As someone says on here, you only have a record if you have been convicted. Seems your brother is not yet convicted of anything. So shouldnt be a problem not to tell them. Though after reading the many posts on that link I wouldnt like to advise one way or the other.

_________________
Great Spirit, grant that I may not criticize my neighbor until I have walked a mile in his moccasins." - Old Native American Indian Prayer that my dad taught me.